Belgium

The European Parliament gave its green light to a proposal to introduce humanitarian visas for refugees in the European Union with the objective of improving the management of the migratory phenomenon.

The European External Action Service has presented a new proposal on the table of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to continue talks on operation Sophia, which reached an impasse on the issue of migrants rescued by the mission's vessels.

As EU leaders discussed migration at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, migrants and refugees themselves gathered next door to discuss their challenges at a first refugee and migrant summit at EU level.

Cells without windows, showers that can’t be used, poor safety standards and random medical check-ups: Belgium's new detention center for irregular migrants is coming under increasing fire for the "inhuman" conditions people are forced to endure while staying there. Four police unions have now called for a strike action demanding the controversial center to be closed down.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) might soon have expanded powers under a draft law presented by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. However, the motion still has to pass through the EU Parliament and needs support from all member states.

Controversy has erupted in Belgium over a measure that authorizes the detention of migrant families with children as they await repatriation. Meanwhile, the government has announced new tougher controls on its trains to identify "passeurs", those who move migrants through Belgium.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has said that in June asylum applications slightly decreased from May while their number went down 15% in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

In its Fundamental Rights Report 2018, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights highlights progress and concerns in terms of the protection of the fundamental rights of migrants and refugees across the Union.